Packing for pipe cutters and valve inserting machines



May 19, 1931. J. M. WILKINS PACKING FOR PIPE CUTTERS AND VALVE INSERTING MACHINES Filed June 1'7. 1929 2 Sheets-Shea! l 43 gmentoe fa/77w M M//ns',

PACKING FOR PIPE CUTTERS AND VALVE INSERTING MACHINES 1929 2 Sheets-Shea! Filed June 17 Zlrvuantof Jame; ff. 74/17/4075;

dummy Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES M. WILKINS', OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO MUELLER (10., O1 DECATUR,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS PACKING FOB PIPE GUTTEBS AND VALVE INSER'IIN G MACHINES Application filed June 17, 1929. Serial No, 371,601.

The present invention relates to means for inserting a valve unit in a supply main or the like and more particularly to improved means for preventing leakage when the main is being out by a device such as shown in application Serial No. 258,958, filed March 3, 1928.

In devices of this character where it is desired to insert a separate valve casing unit in a main or supply pipe without cutting 011' the main supply, a gland and packing, is usually provided to form a tight joint between the insertible valve unit and the main. Durin the cutting operation the gland assumes a oose position and there is danger of the supply escaping between the valve casing and cutter.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide means associated with a packing gland to prevent leakage while the cut is being made in the main by a shell cutter or the like.

A further object comprehends the provision of means for holding the gland away from the valve casing, so that there will be no undue pressure applied to the packing while the cutting operation is being performed. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawmgs.

Referring to the drawings in which is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Figure 2, showing a main having a shell cutter associated therewit Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view substantially similar to Figure 2, showing the valve unit and its as sociated parts connected to the main.

igure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the means for preventing the escape of fluid durin the cutting operation.

Referring to the rawings in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, and more particularly Figure 2, 10 denotes a supply pipe or main through which any suitable fluid may flow such as water, gas, air, steam or the like, and to which it is desired to connect permanently a valve unit without the necessity of shutting ofl the flow of the main supply. In order to accomplish this, a sectional valve casing 11 is clamped to the main at the point where the valve unit is desired to be inserted. The upper section of the casing 11 has an annular flange 12 which is connected to a complementary flange 13 on the auxiliary valve casing 14 by the bolts 15 and the nuts 16. The upper end of the auxiliary valve casing 14 is likewise provided with a flange 17 which is connected to a flange 18 of a hollow housing or member 20 by the bolts 21 and nuts 22. The shell cutter 23-is connected to the lower portion of a spindle or boring bar 24 by the locking pin 26 and has extending from the lower end thereof a pilot drill 27, which may also be connected to the spindle 24 by the pin 26.

Durin the cutting operation the gland 28 and pac 'ng 29 are maintained loosely in position, and in order that this may be effected without danger of the supply leaking past the gland, the latter is preferably composed of the interconnected sections 30 and 31 which are threaded together as at 32 and have clamped between them a suitable flexible member such as the leather cup 33 which acts as a seal to prevent leakage past the gland or follower 28 during the cutting operation. The gland 28 may be maintained in position by nuts 16, threaded to medial portions of each of the bolts 15 (Fig. 4), and is preferably held apart from the valve casing during the cutting operation by the metal spacer blocks 34 or the like, which blocks are removed after the out has been made and the valve unit 35, (Fig. 3), inserted in the cut-out portion of the main. During the cutting operation, the depending free portion of the cup 33 will be forced against the wall of the casing when the fluid under pressure comes in contact with it, so as to provide a seal against the escape of the fluid.

The lower section of the casing 11 preferably has a removable closure plate 36, that is provided with an annular internally threaded flange 37, arranged to be connected to an annular member or ring 38, so 'as to constitute a sectional gland for maintaining the packing 39 in tight engagement with the valve unit when the latter is inserted in the main. The plate 33 is removably secured to the casing 11 by the threaded bolts 40 and the nuts 41. In order to prevent the escape of any of the fluid past the plate 36 during the cutting operation, a flexible cup 42 preferably of leather, is clamped between the connecting portions of the flange 37 and ring 38, while the gland is maintained loosely in position during this operation by the metallic blocks 43 interposed between the adj acent end portions of the plate 36 and the casing 11, (Fig. 2).

It will be seen that during the cutting operation the packings 29 and 39 and the1r associated glands, are maintained loosely in position by the spacer blocks 34 and 43, while the escape of liquid is prevented due to the seal formed by the cups 33 and 42, which are forced outwardly against the wall of the casing .11 when the fluid passing through the main is brought into contact with them.

After the cutter has completely severed the main, it is withdrawn therefrom by the actuation of the spindle 24, which likewise removes the pilot drill 27 and the cut-out portion of the main. Upon the cut-out portion passing the auxiliary valve casing 14, a sliding valve 44 mounted in the said casing, is moved to its closed position, so as to prevent the escape of fluid from the main.

, The stem 45 of the valve unit 35 has a reduced threaded end portion 46 arranged to fit into a complementary formed socket in a coupling 47 'which coupling is connected to an operating rod not shown, for inserting and removing the valve unit from'the main. When the Valve unit has been inserted in the cut-out portion of the main, the nuts 16 and 41 are tightened on their respective bolts,

thus causing the glands to force the packings 29 and 39 into sealed engagement with the adjacent wall of the valve unit 35.

The tubular member 20 and the auxiliary valve casing 14 are then removed from the main and a a bonnet 48 may be mounted on the valve stem 45, which bonnet is secured to the casing by the bolts 49. The valve stem 45 preferably has a polygonal shaped portion arranged to receive an operating handle not shown for causing the actuation of the gate valves 51 and 52, so as to control the flow of the supply through the main. The bolts 15 above the nuts 16 after the valve unit has been inserted in position, may be cut by any suitable tool so as to assume the full line appearance as shown in Figure 3.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is merely illustrative of apreferredembodiment and that such changes may be made therein as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a valve casing adapted to be secured to a main and having an opening therein, a valve cutter arranged to be inserted in said opening for severing a portion of the main, a valve unit' arranged to be inserted in said opening when the cutter is removed therefrom, a packing around said opening for preventing the escape of liquid from the casing when the valve unit is mounted therein, said packing adapted to be loosened during the cutting operation and tightened when the valve unit is inserted in said opening, a gland for maintaining the packing in position, and an auxiliary pacln'ng connected to said gland for preventing the escape of fluid during the cutting operation.

2. In combination, a valve casing adapted to be secured to a main, and having an opening therein a valve cutter arranged to be inserted in said opening for severing a portion of the main, a valve unit arranged to be inserted in said opening When the cutter is removed therefrom, a packing around said opening for preventing the escape of liquid from the casing, when the valve unit is mounted therein, said packing adapted to be loosened during the cutting operation and tightened when the valve unit'is inserted in said opening, a gland for maintaining the packing in position, and an auxiliary packing connected to said gland for preventing the escape of fluid during the cutting operation, said gland being composed of interconnected sections, and an auxiliary packing carried by said sections for preventing the escape of fluid during the cutting operation.

3. In combination, a valve casing adapted to be secured to a main, and having an opening therein a valve cutter arranged to be inserted in said opening for severing a portion of the main, a valve unit arranged to be inserted in said opening when the cutter is removed therefrom, a primary packing around said opening for preventing the escape of liquid from the casing when the valve unit is mounted therein, said packing adapted to be loosened during the cutting operation and tightened when the valve unit is inserted in said opening, a. gland for maintaining the packing in position, said gland being composed of inter-connected sections, an auxiliary packing clamped between said sections for preventing the escape of fluid during the cutting operation and means for maintaining the primary packing loose during the cutting operation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JALLES M. WILKINS. 

